Connection terminal and spring-loaded terminal contact therefor

Abstract

A spring-loaded terminal contact ( 3 ) for contacting electrical conductors having at least one busbar ( 7 ) and having at least one clamping spring ( 9 ) which has an abutment member ( 10 ), a clamping member ( 12 ) and a curved resilient member ( 11 ) which is arranged between the abutment member ( 10 ) and the clamping member ( 12 ) is described. The clamping member ( 12 ) extends in the direction toward the busbar ( 7 ) and has a resilient clamping edge ( 8 ) for clamping an electrical conductor which is introduced between the clamping member ( 12 ) and the busbar ( 7 ) in a conductor insertion direction (L). The busbar ( 7 ) has a clamping edge ( 6 ) which together with the resilient clamping edge ( 8 ) forms a clamping location for the electrical conductor which is intended to be clamped. The busbar ( 7 ) has a groove-like recess ( 14 ) in the conductor insertion direction (L) upstream of the clamping location adjacent to the clamping edge ( 6 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A spring-loaded terminal contact for contacting electrical conductors comprising:
 at least one busbar having a clamping edge; and 
 at least one clamping spring having:
 an abutment member, 
 a clamping member extending in a direction toward the busbar and having a resilient clamping edge for clamping an electrical conductor introduced between the clamping member and the busbar in a conductor insertion direction (L), and 
 a curved resilient member arranged between the abutment member and the clamping member, 
 
 wherein the clamping edge of the busbar and the resilient clamping edge of the clamping member together form a clamping location for an electrical conductor to be clamped; and 
 wherein the busbar has a groove-like recess in the conductor insertion direction (L) upstream of the clamping location adjacent to the clamping edge, with the clamping edge extending transversely to the conductor insertion direction and forming the front end of the groove-like recess. 
 
     
     
       2. The spring-loaded terminal contact as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the busbar extends transversely relative to the conductor insertion direction (L) and a plurality of groove-like recesses which extend parallel with each other are arranged beside each other on the busbar, wherein a clamping spring is associated with each groove-like recess. 
     
     
       3. The spring-loaded terminal contact as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the groove-like recess is stamped in the busbar. 
     
     
       4. The spring-loaded terminal contact as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that the groove-like recess is coined or embossed. 
     
     
       5. The spring-loaded terminal contact as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that there is arranged in the conductor insertion direction (L) downstream of the clamping location a retention flap which extends away from the busbar plane, wherein the clamping spring is suspended in the retention flap with the abutment member thereof with spacing from the busbar plane. 
     
     
       6. The spring-loaded terminal contact as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that the retention flap is constructed integrally with the busbar. 
     
     
       7. The spring-loaded terminal contact as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that the retention flap is constructed as a component which is separate from the busbar. 
     
     
       8. The spring-loaded terminal contact as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that the busbar extends transversely relative to the conductor insertion direction (L) and a plurality of groove-like recesses which extend parallel with each other are arranged beside each other on the busbar, wherein a clamping spring is associated with each groove-like recess and wherein a retention flap is provided for each clamping spring, respectively, and the retention flaps are arranged spaced apart from each other with an intermediate space being formed. 
     
     
       9. A connection terminal for electrical conductors having an insulating material housing which has at least one conductor introduction opening for introducing an electrical conductor, characterized in that at least one spring-loaded terminal contact as claimed in  claim 1  is integrated in the insulating material housing. 
     
     
       10. The connection terminal as claimed in  claim 9 , characterized in that at least one pivotably supported actuation lever is integrated in the insulating material housing, wherein the actuation lever has an actuation portion which cooperates with the clamping member of at least one associated clamping spring in order to open the clamping location when the actuation lever is pivoted.